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Lund brings their message to the Statehouse

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Published 2:31 p.m. ET Jan. 31, 2014

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Nelliah Grosselfinger (left) plays with her new friend Johnny McKinnon (right), and her brother Xander (rear) in the ball pit at the The Lund Family Center picnic in 2010.(Photo: Free Press file)Buy Photo

MONTPELIER – Staff and board members from Lund hosted a coffee hour at the Statehouse on Tuesday morning to raise awareness about Lund’s integrated, family-centered programming for pregnant and parenting women and the impact it has statewide.

Lund provides treatment, education, family support and adoption services to over 4,250 people from 1,500 families statewide annually. With a mission to help children and families thrive, Lund helps break the cycles of poverty, addiction and abuse through enduring and nationally acclaimed public-private partnerships.

Kim Coe, director of Residential and Community Treatment Services at Lund, testified to the House Committee on Human Services on the topic of opiate addiction treatment programs.

She described Lund’s treatment program as well as stressed the need for integrated, family-centered services for pregnant and parenting women struggling with substance abuse disorders.

“Addiction is a disease that profoundly affects the entire family system; it cannot be treated effectively without using a family-centered approach,” Coe said. “Lund recognizes the critical importance of concurrently treating women for substance abuse while also developing employment and life skills, providing parenting supports and access to educational services. Lund individualizes treatment in response to the needs of the individual as well as the family.”

Lund is on the only residential treatment center in Vermont where a woman can receive treatment without separation from her young children, which can be a prohibitive concern for many women as they seek help for substance abuse disorders.

Courtney Farrell, assistant director of Residential and Community Treatment Services at Lund, testified to the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare on Lund’s substance abuse treatment programming.

Both committees were interested in hearing what might be missing from treatment programs currently offered in the state so that focus can be put into comprehensive solutions. Farrell, Coe and other experienced clinicians and counselors at Lund applaud the governor’s initiatives as spelled out in his recent State of the State address.

“We are very pleased that the governor is committing dollars to address this public health issue, and while increased resources are critical, the thoughtful and intentional implementation of services will be as important to ensure the investment pays off,” Coe said.

Lund believes it is crucial to build on the strength of the current system while also investing in the following key areas such as a multigenerational treatment approach, early intervention, continuing care plans, and seamless transition of services.

The most vulnerable victims of increased opiate use in the state are children. Children impacted by parental substance abuse are more likely to experience maltreatment and lack the essential care necessary for their well-being, Coe said.

Lund is a member agency of the United Way of Chittenden County and has helped families break the cycles of poverty, addiction, and abuse for more than 120 years.